Embark on a 12-day expedition cruise aboard the MV Plancius. From Vlissingen to explore the North Sea's wonders. Witness diverse marine life, from dolphins to majestic whales. Visit Fowlsheugh's seabird cliffs or the vibrant Ythan Estuary. Explore Fair Isle's serene charm, known for its knitwear. Journey to the remote Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, a haven for whales. Discover its volcanic terrain and historic sites. Sail through sea ice near Spitsbergen, encountering bowhead whales and seals. Enjoy the rich wildlife of Forlandsundet, home to walruses, Arctic foxes, and reindeer.
Highlights
Discover over 100,000 pairs of seabirds at Fowlsheugh or witness the teeming wildlife at Ythan Estuary
Experience the beautiful knitwear of Fair Isle and observe accessible seabird breeding grounds
Explore Jan Mayen and keep a lookout for minke, fin, orca, and blue whales
Witness the stunning beauty of Forlandsundet and its fascinating wildlife
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Crossing the North Sea and sailing by Doggersbank, you can hope to be lucky enough to spot such species as white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, minke whales, and orcas.
Passengers who boarded in Vlissingen will be offered an excursion by bus to Fowlsheugh, a seabird cliff south of Aberdeen. Over 100,000 pairs of seabirds of different species can be seen here. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the Ythan Estuary, where the beaches are teeming with harbor seals, gray seals, and birds that keep to the shorelines. Both outings are included in the price of the booking.
Plan to stay the day on Fair Isle, an island in the Shetlands whose seventy-odd inhabitants are known for their beautiful knitwear. This is a fantastic location with accessible seabird breeding grounds, and you may even spot grey seals.
You sail north to the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, 300 nautical miles northeast of Iceland. Your two days at sea do not pass idly, however. Keep a close lookout for any spouts of water from the surrounding seas, heralding the arrival of a minke, fin, orca, or blue whale.
Jan Mayen is a stark volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped summit of Mt. Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high (7,545-foot) volcano, broken glaciers grasp out into the frigid sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the weather station. You can also walk to the remains of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station amid the thick moss beds of this stark volcanic landscape.
Basking in the midnight sun, you sail north along the edge of the sea ice in search of bowhead whales, harp seals, polar bears, and a variety of seabirds. You then change direction after about 79° north, cutting east to the rocky edges of the continental shelf of west Spitsbergen. Here you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and, near the glacial mouths of the gaping Spitsbergen fjords, surfacing minke whales.
Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the narrow Prins Karls Forland, is a place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes haul out here. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or head south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation.
Day 12: Longyearbyen | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Arctic Cruises & Tours.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double or triple occupancy. Request the Twin or Triple Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Single occupancy: All cabins 1.7 times the share twin price
-Children between the ages of 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
- Due to the extreme nature of itinerary destinations, travel insurance is mandatory for all cruises aboard the Plancius - including medical, accident and repatriation/evacuation insurance.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability. This applies to all trips scheduled for the 2024-25 Antarctic season and will continue across all future motor vessel trips in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to Longyearbyen.
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
Parkas are not provided on your cruise. Please bring your own windproof, waterproof, insulated parka with you. You will want to make sure it is roomy enough to fit warm layers underneath. Click here for information about parka rentals for Antarctica voyages.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
kevin Moore, our agent, is very knowledgeable about the tours and details, and researches quickly any follow up ?s.
Emory
3 months ago
Tilly was thorough and efficient in answering questions and getting us the right information to make a trip decision.
Nancy Turner
3 months ago
Clara Tort was fantastic to work with, very professional.
Dan Twomey
3 months ago
I've been working w/ Franny and Phen on the Heart of the Arctic Cruise next year. They've both been very friendly and helpful in answering my many questions as we work out the details for the trip. Thank you!
Nita Hoops
8 months ago
Love Adventure Life, Mary is very experienced in the cruise department. Their post follow up after booking is great too.
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